Fool Moon

One of the best books I've read in a long time!

I first discovered The Dresden Files series on NetFlix and was instantly hooked. I was nervous about reading Jim Butcher's books after seeing the series, worrying that my preconceptions and possible knowledge of plotlines might take away from the experience, but there's so much more to the characters and stories that I didn't even think of the TV series as I listened. Wonderful characters, wonderful stories, wonderful prose. I liked Marster's narration better in the second book. In fact, as much as I loved the first book, I found the second far more enjoyable, suspenseful, and thought provoking.

43 of 46 people found this review helpful

I'm liking Harry more and more

I was looking for another engaging series to try after reading all of Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse books and found Jim Butcher's books.

Harry Dresden, a wizard/detective in Chicago, is a very quirky, compelling main character who gets himself in one unbelievable predicament after another. I found the writing style of this second Dresden book to be decidedly improved from the first (Storm Front). Although there is still some hackneyed detective-genre prose to make me cringe at times, I am won over by Jim Butcher's talent for painting these characters, creating an intriguing paranormal universe, and some twisty-turny storylines that keep you guessing.

Fool Moon (nice pun, BTW) is about Harry's search to discover the source of a recent spate of killings, presumably by a werewolf. You will learn more about the different flavors of werewolf than you ever thought you wanted to know, and how they kill their prey (warning: not for the squeamish!)

I'm going to download the rest of the Dresden series because I just have to know what happens next to Harry and how he'll get out of it!

47 of 51 people found this review helpful

Another great novel of the Dresden Files

This novel is a turning point in the series. It is the second book in the Dresden Files and paves a strong foundation for turning a fairly light fantasy series into a substantial series with characters that live and breath. Murphy and Dresden begin to define the kind of friendship that will blossom into something very special.

Harry becomes something a bit more than just a brooding wizard as he begins to realize his responsibilities not just to trying to make a living but to his friends and his community of wizards.

James Marsten continues his excellent talent of reading these books and I disagree with a previous review that his delivery was shaky. His performance was stronger than the first book, Storm Front, and it continues to get better through the rest of the series.

I hope Audible gets all of the series. You should, too!

26 of 31 people found this review helpful

Werewolves, lycantropes, hexenwolves & loup-garou!

I enjoyed this installment more than book 1; the narration was much improved, it had chapters (I need order in my reads), and the story showcased countless different types of werewolves. The cast of secondary characters were wonderful as was Dresden's POV. The author's dark humour is catchy, and the action sequences were heart-stopping, especially the one in the police station. Whoa Nelly!

16 of 19 people found this review helpful

Done with Mr. Dresden

Any additional comments?

I have to admit I came into The Dresden Files expecting something really great but in the end it really just isn't for me. Dresden is a bit of an ass and spends most of the book in an emo mess of self loathing about how everything wouldn't be so screwed up if he was just able to figure out the convoluted mystery sooner.

Then there is Karrin Murphy. Ms. Murphy is far to quick to just assume Dresden is an evil, murdering, bastard when in truth he is just a crappy friend who can't just tell her what is actually going on which is what she is paying him to do.

Oh and lets not forget Mr. Masters. The breathing, oh the breathing. Why in the world did the editor allow all of the damn breathing and swallowing to stay in the book? Don't get me wrong, it isn't half as bad as the first book but it really pulled me out of the story. At least the production value for this book was a bit better than the first because it didn't sound like a bootleg of a 1950s radio program.

Alas, I have to say that I really don't think I am going to continue the Dresden Files. I had high hopes but it really just seems like a chore to continue with the series. It isn't the worst thing in the world and I fully understand that a lot of people really love the series but it's just not for me.

24 of 30 people found this review helpful

Howling entertainment

With all the undead books out there it was surprising to find a werewolf story that is actually original. Lots of suspense and lots of laughs mixed together - very enjoyable detective story fun. Some adult content, tastefully written, but not for pre-teens.

16 of 20 people found this review helpful

Reasonably good book, poor performance

What did you like best about Fool Moon? What did you like least?

After enjoying the Codex Alera series, I hoped that I was going to enjoy the Dresden Files. Unfortunately, I can't say that I have, and I'm not going to buy any more of the books in this series. In fairness to the author, my primary issue with the books is the reader. Maybe I have been spoiled by George Guidall, Kate Reading, and others, but Marsters' narration is so distracting that it keeps me from appreciating the author's work. That having been said, I can only rate the book itself as good, as opposed to very good or excellent. Some of the things that the characters do are simply implausible. Granted this is a book series about a wizard, but still, the actions of the people in the book need to be consistent with human nature. For example, an FBI agent would not draw her gun and try to kill a police lieutenant simply because they had gotten into a tussle. So, net-net, the first two books were disappointing.

13 of 17 people found this review helpful

Pretty good story line but poor reader

Would you listen to Fool Moon again? Why?

Well I liked the story enough to put up with the reader's constant deep breaths and swallowing sounds..As soon as I would get engaged in the story, he would do something to remind me yet again that he was the reader and not the character...you can even hear him swallow every few minutes!

How could the performance have been better?

new reader please

35 of 47 people found this review helpful

Needs new narrator

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

The book yes. The audio book, NO. The narrator is awful compared to many of the others I've had the pleasure of listening to. Odd pauses, heavy breathing, more pauses to breath heavily, lips smacking in almost every sentence, and you can hear how much this is guy salivating. I struggled through the first book because of this, started on the second and after a few chapters i could barely keep my attention away from all the noises this guys mouth is consistently making. Awful. Minus the narrator this would be a damn good story. Sorry Mr.James Marsters, never again.

What did you like best about this story?

Everything except the narrator.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of James Marsters?

Luke Daniels, Michael Kramer, Nick Podehl, Pete Bradbury, Kate Reading, ANYONE!

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

Good story reader saliva issue

The story was good but the reader needed to drink some water or something. He keeps lip smacking throughout the book which is like listening to someone eat hot wings. Very distracting.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful